An Israeli businessman has been arrested for allegedly colluding with Iran to assassinate top officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Security services claim the suspect was smuggled into Iran where he attended meetings to discuss killing Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.
"The Israeli citizen entered Iran...smuggled through the border hidden inside a truck cabin," the IDF stated. "He met with Iranian intelligence agents and was asked to carry out activities for Iran on Israeli soil, including promoting assassination attacks."
The unnamed man, with Turkish connections, reportedly demanded $1 million upfront.
Israel says Iran sought revenge for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's killing on Iranian soil in July, which Tehran blames on Tel Aviv.
The arrest came in August 2024, preceding recent attacks using exploding pager devices that killed over 30 and injured thousands across Lebanon and parts of Syria.
Iran has not yet commented on these allegations.
The explosions came just 24 hours after booby-trapped pagers used by the Iran-backed terror group blew up in Syria and Lebanon - killing 12 and maiming 3,000.
Israel has not commented on the attacks despite widespread reports they were orchestrated by the country's spy agency Mossad.
But defence minister Yoav Gallant ominously hailed the start of “a new phase in the war” as the “centre of gravity is shifting to the north”.
His comments, made on a visit to the Ramat David airbase in northern Israel, suggest the focus of the conflict will shift from Gaza to Lebanon where Hezbollah is based.
He added: “We will need consistency over time, this war requires great courage, determination, and perseverance.'
Hezbollah has already vowed Israel will get “its fair punishment for this blatant aggression” while Iran condemned the “mass murder”.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned of “a serious risk of a dramatic escalation” in the region.
